Blu-ray Review “Halloween: 35th Anniversary Edition”

Actors: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, P.J. Soles, Nancy Loomis
Directors: John Carpenter
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: ANCHOR BAY
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Run Time: 91 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

With Halloween right around the corner, I always make sure to find time to watch one of my favorite horror films of all-time. “Halloween” is something that I feel confident calling the perfect horror film. It is celebrating its 35th anniversary and yet it has never lost a single ounce of its effectiveness. It has also never been really given a great Blu-ray release either.  But I am happy to say that Anchor Bay finally got it right this time and delivered this film in the best condition that I have ever seen it.  In fact, the transfer has been overseen and approved by the film’s original cinematographer, Dean Cundey. So I had a feeling that this was going to be quite awesome and I was not let down. “Halloween: 35th Anniversary” Blu-ray also comes in a super cool DigiBook package with great behind-the-scene black-and-white photos and text. A must own for any fan of this film and a great way to welcome the holiday season.

Official Premise: Halloween stars Jamie Lee Curtis (A Fish Called Wanda, True Lies) in her debut role. Anyone who’s ever watched a horror film in the last 35 years knows the story of Michael Myers, who as a child, butchered his sister with a kitchen knife. Committed to a mental institution and watched over by Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance, Halloween II, IV & V, Fantastic Voyage), he engineers his escape 15 years later, returning to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois on Halloween night to terrorize anyone who gets in his way, including babysitter Laurie Strode (Curtis).

If you recall the original Blu-ray release “Halloween”, hardcore fans complains about the transfers color timing and other issues but there is nothing to complain about here. Like I said above, this 1080p transfer is gorgeous and I have been more satisified watching this film then I was the first time I saw it on VHS tape (without my parents knowing over 20 years ago – sorry guys!) If the gorgeous transfer isn’t enough for you Anchor Bay also upgraded the audio track delivering us now with an all-new Dolby TrueHD 7.1 surround track. This 7.1 track is a thing of beauty.  I absolutely love Carpenter’s score for this film and it really works well with it. I wish there was an isolated score track. There is the original Dolby Digital 2.0 included for those purists out there.

In terms of special features, I can’t say that I am disappointed at all since there is a nice collection of goodies.  There is a brand new audio commentary track with Writer/Director John Carpenter and Actor Jamie Lee Curtis, who were reunited for this track.  It is a blast and honestly worth the purchase of the set alone. “The Night She Came Home!!” is another new feature, which runs about an hour and showcases Jamie Lee Curtis’ first (and supposedly only) convention visit last year. The rest of the extras are previously available including the behind-the-scenes look with “On Location: 25 Years Later”. There is a collection of scenes television cut scenes, which are cool to see them included. Lastly there are a trailer, some TV spots and radio spots included.

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Blu-ray Review “Hannibal: Season One”

Actors: Hugh Dancy, Mads Mikkelsen, Caroline Dhavernas, Hettienne Park, Laurence Fishburne
Directors: David Slade, Guillermo Navarro, James Foley, John Dahl, Michael Rymer
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Lions Gate
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Run Time: 561 minutes

Series: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

There has no shortage of Hannibal Lecter in films over the last 25 years including, “Manhunter”, “The Silence of the Lambs”, “Hannibal”, “Red Dragon”, “Hannibal Rising”. Brian Cox, Anthony Hopkins and Gaspard Ulliel have all played the role of Hannibal over the years but I got to tell you Mads Mikkelsen really nails this character. He really does a great job and seals this show as a must watch. Laurence Fishburne is a beast and an awesome presence to the show. I wasn’t too familiar with Hugh Dancy but I am huge fan now as he also killed (pun intended) with this role. The show’s style is just so mesmerizing from the colors to the tone. I was in love with every episode. It is also quite brutal and may not be for those with a lack of stomach. Can’t wait for season two coming back sometime in 2014.

Official Premise: FBI Agent Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) hunts the most notorious serial killers. Graham is both gifted and cursed with an extraordinary ability: he can think like his prey, seeing what they see and feeling what they feel. What he doesn’t know is that his new partner is the most notorious serial killer of all. While pursuing an especially troubling, cannibalistic murderer, Special Agent Jack Crawford (Laurence Fishburne) teams Graham with a highly respected psychiatrist – a man with a taste for the criminally minded: Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen). Dr. Lecter tests Graham every step of the way, toying with him and playing a game all his own, while they work to unravel the mystery and catch the killer. Like only Lecter can, he twists Graham’s mind, daring him to question everything he knows about others…and himself.

Lionsgate Films really delivered an awesome Blu-ray presentation here. Besides the season’s 13 episodes, this three disc set also includes an episode that never aired and a “Producer’s Cut” versions of five others So it is a must revisit for fans of the series just for that alone. The episodes are gorgeous with their 1080p transfers in 1.78:1. Like I mentioned the style of the show, I just love the way it was shot and detail in this show just translate so well on this high def Blu-ray, especially Will’s “recreations” of the crime scenes. To accompany the video, the shows DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track also hits a home run, especially with the very creepy and moody score from Brian Reitzell.

The special features are just as great as the first season. They are split over the three Blu-rays. Disc One includes an audio commentary track with Bryan Fuller, David Slade and Hugh Dancy on the pilot “Aperitif”. Must listen for sure. Also included are Pilot Episode Storyboards. Disc Two includes “Hannibal Reborn”, which is a cool featurette on the series with interviews including Martha De Laurentiis, the Executive Producer. “A Taste for Killing” is a fun look at the cannibalistic subtext of the character. Lastly there is a gag reel for those who can’t take the gory moments, or just a collection of spoofs.

Disc Three is another great audio commentary track with Bryan Fuller, David Slade and Hugh Dancy on the episode, “Savoreux”. Like the first pilot, also very enjoyable with some fava beans and a nice chianti ;-). “A Symphony for the Slaughter” is a great piece on the series’ composer, Brian Reitzell. “The FX of Murder” looks into the amazing visual and design effects from this show. Lastly there is a short deleted scene included. So that wraps it up and it left me feeling very satisfied even though we have to wait a few more months before we can get some new episodes. Almost forgot to mention that Lionsgate also delivers by included an HD digital download of this series, which can be redeemed on Ultraviolet sites.
 

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Blu-ray Review “Nashville: The Complete First Season”

Starring: Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Eric Close, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio, Robert Ray Wisdom and Powers Boothe
Created by Callie Khouri
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: September 17, 2013
Run Time: 903 minutes

Season: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I have to admit, I was drawn to “Nashville” due to my love to country music but I was immediately pushed back by Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere. I am really not a fan of either of these actresses. So due to that I kind of steered clear from this show during its first season. It received some success from critics and fans, which made me consider checking it out on DVD. It is a decent show, certainly not the best thing on television. Besides just country music, I consider myself a music buff and I enjoy shows that add that extra factor within the normal (and sometimes boring) drama. Overall after watching this show, I will not be setting the DVR for season two but I am glad that I checked it out for sure.

Official Premise: Behind the music of Nashville lies a captivating web of betrayal, heartbreak and rivalry. Rayna Jaymes is the reigning Queen of Country, yet hot young diva Juliette Barnes is poised to knock her off her throne. Adding more fuel to the fire is Rayna’s rich, scheming father, whose political ambitions for Rayna’s husband hide sinister ulterior motives. Surrender to a seductive mix of music, intrigue and passion with “Nashville: The Complete First Season,” including all 22 tantalizing episodes.

One thing I have to give this show is the music, despite my like of the cast, the show still has some pretty good music. In fact, if you are a fan of this show then you will know this already, they even released two albums with “The Music of Nashville” with 11 songs on each. So I like it when a show break out of just being a show and expands its grips, sort of like “Glee”. I am a country fan, so the music appeals to me but it may not appeal to everyone, as a main selling point

The special features are decent but lacking any commentary tracks, which would have a nice bonus. “Nashville” Comes to Nashville is a tour of the city and its historical locations with the cast. “On The Record: The ‘B’ Side” is an inside scoop of the stories from the writers and musicians who create the show’s music. “The Stellas Go On ‘Tour'” looks into the show with Lennon Stella (Maddy) and Maisy Stella (Daphne). There are a few Deleted Scenes including some compelling drama from the hit series. Lastly there are never-before-seen outtakes from the set.

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Blu-ray Review “Star Trek: The Original Series – Origins”

Actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan
Directors: James Goldstone, John Newland, Joseph Pevney, Marc Daniels, Robert Butler
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Run Time: 265 minutes

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

To celebrate the release of “Star Trek Into Darkness”, Paramount decided to cash in a little and release a new collection of episodes from “Star Trek: The Original Series”.  Included here are the episodes which showcased the debut of some many significant characters from the series.  They are all  introduced by Rod Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, which is a nice little bonus since that isn’t available previously.  But since the episodes are, I would have to say this would be recommend for the completists out there and hardcore “Star Trek” fans only. Though I have to admit, I loved revisiting the origin of Kirk, Spock, Pike, Khan, Klingons and even the Tribbles.

Official Synopsis: Here are the origin episodes of the most significant characters from Star Trek: The Original Series, introduced by Rod Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Episodes include: “The Cage”: the pilot that started it all and introduced Captain Pike and Spock. “Where No Man Has Gone Before”: the first time Captain Kirk is seen at the helm of the Enterprise. “Space Seed”: the debut of super villain, Khan. “Errand of Mercy”: the crew’s first encounter with the barbaric Klingons. “Trouble with Tribbles”: the arrival of the cute, but catastrophic creatures.

If you already own The Original Series on Blu-ray (and I know you do!), then you will know that the 1080p transfer of this amazing series is stunning. So you like be just as satisfied as your were with those episodes. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 still sounds as crystal clear as it has before and makes me realize what an impressive track this really is.  Besides the five episodes, there are no additional special features. To make this really worth the purchase, it would would have been amazing if they could have tacked on some new or even pre-existing commentary tracks since they are such epic episodes. So if you are wondering why I still gave this 5 out of 5 stars, it is because these are some of the best episodes of the series and for hardcore fans like myself it is great to have them all together.

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Blu-ray Review “Haven: The Complete Third Season”

Actors: Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, Eric Balfour
Number of discs: 4
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Entertainment One
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Run Time: 572 minutes

Season: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 4 out of 5 stars

Syfy’s “Haven” is based on Stephen King’s “The Colorado Kid”. The show has since expanded so much from the novella that it has become its own entity. Season three was actually my favorite season to date from this show. I thought they went very deep into the mythology behind the show and really answered some long-wanted questions and even dug up a few more. The cliffhanger finale was a major turning point for the show and it really set up for an explosive fourth season, which premiered on September 13.

Official Premise: Season three of Haven picks up immediately following the events of the gripping season two finale with Audrey (Emily Rose) having been brutally kidnapped; Nathan (Lucas Bryant) warned against pursuing a romantic relationship with Audrey; and Duke (Eric Balfour) seemingly engaged in a fight to the death with Nathan after he discovers his family lineage is to kill Haven citizens with troubles.

The cast in “Haven” is really key.  It is a real all-star cast with everyone giving their A-game! In fact, we did a full cast interview series for this season, click here to check it out. The trio of Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, Eric Balfour really are great this season and each of their characters really get some fantastic new arcs. There is also some great reveal for our favorite duo Dave & Vince Teagues (John Dunsworth & Richard Donat). WWE Superstar Aaron “Edge” Copeland joins on the show as reoccurring cast this season as well. Bree Williamson (“One Live to Live”),  Iain Glen (“Game of Thrones”), Claudia Black (“Farscape”, “Stargate SG1”) and Nolan North (“Uncharted” game series) all have guest stars as well.

Entertainment One has delivered “Haven: The Complete Third Season” on Blu-ray with a great presentation like they have with the first two seasons. The 1080p transfer in 1.78:1 comes with a very impressive high definition presentation. Having only watching this show on TV’s “high def”, it looks so much crisper on this release. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio track works well with the show’s dialogue and action. Also included in this release is a very cool exclusive 16-page comic, called “After the Storm”, which gives a sneak into the next season. A must read for any fan of the series.

The special features on the show are as impressive as the season itself. The six great audio commentaries, which are a nice reason to revisit the show. On “Stay” and “Over My Head”, we get commentary from Gabrielle Stanton and Matt McGuinness. On “Sarah” we get Nora Zuckerman and Lilla Zuckerman. With “Last Goodbyes with”, we get commentary from Brian Millikin and Shernold Edwards. On “Reunion”, the commentary is from Gabrielle Stanton and Brian Millikin. Lastly with “Thanks for the Memories”, the commentary is from Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn.

There is a great behind-the-scenes look into the season with “The Haunting Truth About Haven”, which runs about 45 minutes and features some great interviews. “Haven Panel from New York Comic Con” is a fun panel with stars Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant, Eric Balfour, Adam Copeland, Co-Creators and Executive Producers Sam Ernst and Jim Dunn, Consulting Producer Charles Ardai, Writers Shernold Edwards and Brian Millikin with Moderator Tiffany Vogt. If you want more interviews, there is an additional 30 minutes of interviews with Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant and Eric Balfour; Iain Glen; and Nolan North and Emily Rose.

Also included is the complete webisodes form the series “Escape to Haven”, which aired online and gives more backstory about the Troubled. There are eight videos included with each one running about one to three minutes  and are narrated by Jordan McKee or Dwight Hendrickson. There are about 10 minutes of additional Deleted/Alternate Scenes. There is another short Behind-the-Scenes Reel, showing more footage from the production. Lastly there are Season 3 Trailers and a Season 4 Teaser included.

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Blu-ray Review “Homeland: The Complete Second Season”

Actors: Claire Danes, Damian Lewis, Morena Baccarin, Jackson Pace, Morgan Saylor
Directors: Daniel Attias, David Semel, Guy Ferland, Jeremy Podeswa, John Dahl
Number of discs: 3
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: September 10, 2013
Run Time: 629 minutes

Season: 3 out of 5 stars
Extras: 2.5 out of 5 stars

I have to admit, I was not aware of “Homeland” until it cleaned up the Emmy’s last year with six wins.  After that I took an interest in the show.  I watched the first season and enjoyed it but wasn’t going around bragging how much I loved it. “Homeland” though is not the typical type of show that I would watch normally.  It does have a A+ cast though leading with Claire Danes (“My So Called Life”), Damian Lewis (“Life”), Morena Baccarin (“V”). I found the cast to be the main draw for me to keep watching.  It is not that I didn’t enjoy the season, the second season is actually a decent improvement over the first and our characters have development our well. It is definitely packed with great drama, exciting episodes, and smart writing but it is not my cup of tea. The show is already in its third season, which I have to admit does look promising, and no signs of slowing down.

Official Premise: “Homeland” makes its triumphant return after winning six Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress for Claire Danes, Outstanding Lead Actor for Damian Lewis and Outstanding Drama Series. Marine Sgt. Nicholas Brody (Lewis) is now a U.S. congressman, and former CIA agent Carrie Mathison (Danes) has returned to civilian life. But when a new and potentially devastating terrorist threat emerges, Brody and Carrie’s lives become intertwined once again and they resume their delicate dance of suspicion, deceit and desire.

20th Century Fox delivered us with a very sharp Blu-ray presentation.  The 1080p transfer looks quite amazing with its aspect ratio of 1.78:1. The show was shot in HD and it reallu benefits from this aspect. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 is also quite impressive, especially with the dialogue heavy moments of this series. In terms of special features, they really don’t blow me away.  There are a few short deleted scenes on each of the three discs. “Returning to the Homeland: Filming in Israel” is short feature on location shooting. “The Border: A Prologue to Season Three” is another short sneak peak. “A Super 8 Film Diary by Damian Lewis” is a fun feature with a home video feel. Lastly “The Choice: The Making of the Season Finale” looks into the shows cliffhanger ending.

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Blu-ray Review “The Amityville Horror Trilogy”

Starring: James Olson, Tony Roberts, James Brolin, Burt Young, Tess Harper, Margot Kidder
Directors: Damiano Damiani, Richard Fleischer, Stuart Rosenberg
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Shout! Factory
DVD Release Date: October 1, 2013
Run Time: 316 minutes

The Amityville Horror: 4 out of 5 stars
The Amityville Horror Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Amityville II: The Possession: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Amityville II: The Possession Extras: 4 out of 5 stars
Amityville 3-D: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Amityville 3-D Extras: 1 out of 5 stars

Growing up living about 10 minutes from the real “Amityville” house. I have been exposed to the films and the events behind the films since I was a little kid. This series has always been a favorite of mine. Shout! Factory has really delivered a fantastic trilogy collection here with this release. “The Amityville Horror (1979)” is the only film of the three that has been released on Blu-ray prior. This marks the Blu-ray debuts for both “Amityville II: The Possession” and “Amityville 3-D”. And that’s right “Amityville 3-D” is actually presented in digital 3D, no anaglyph red/blue glasses. It really puts the recently released “Friday the 13th: The Complete Collection” to shame since they released “Friday the 13th: Part III in 3D” in that lame and out of date format. Shout! really catered to the fans here and really scored with this release. A must have for any fan, no question at all.

“The Amityville Horror (1979)” Official Premise: The Long Island colonial house on the river’s edge seemed perfect. Quaint, spacious and affordable, it was just what George and Kathy Lutz had been looking for. But looks can be deceiving…and their new dream home soon becomes a hellish nightmare as the walls begins to drip blood and satanic forces haunt them with sheer, unbridled evil. Now, with their lives – and their souls – in danger, the Lutzes must run as fast as they can from the home they once loved…or fall prey to its terrifying power. Starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Oscar-winner Rod Steiger, this bone-chilling, special-effects laden thriller will hit you where you live.

“Amityville II: The Possession” Official Premise: Before the residence at 112 Ocean Avenue became infamous in The Amityville Horror, its supernatural legacy of terror had already begun. Inspired by a true story, this chilling prequel is a bloodcurdling, special-effects-laden encounter with all-powerful, all-consuming evil. Although the Montellis are not exactly the “perfect family,” at least they’ve found the perfect home. And even though a liquid that looks like blood gushes from the kitchen faucet and every window has been nailed shut, it still qualifies as their dream house… until all hell breaks loose! A local priest tries to rid the house of unclean spirits, but what he doesn’t yet suspect is that teenage son Sonny Montelli has been possessed, body and soul, by a murderous demon bent on total destruction.

“Amityville 3-D” Official Premise: To debunk the Amityville house’s infamous reputation and take advantage of a rock-bottom asking price, skeptical journalist John Baxter (Roberts) buys the place and settles in to write his first novel. But as soon as the ink on the deed has dried, people who have come into contact with him-and the house-begin to meet with a shocking fate. Is it coincidence…or is this house really the gateway to hell? Packed with bone-chilling special effects, this third rendezvous with terror in Amityville stars Tony Roberts, Tess Harper, Robert Joy, Candy Clark and Meg Ryan.

Each film comes with its own specs but all equally impressive. “The Amityville Horror (1979)” looks awesome as it has in the past on Blu-ray. The 1080p transfer is well done and comes presented in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The audio included are both a DTS-Master Audio 5.1 and DTS Master Audio Mono tracks. I have to go with the 5.1 track for sure. With “Amityville II: The Possession”, the 1080p transfer looks solid as well within its 1.78:1 aspect ratio. It only comes with a DTS Master Audio Mono track but it still works well. Lastly “Amityville 3-D” looks quite amazing with its 1080p transfer within an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. The 3D presentation of this film is quite awesome in fact and really represented the way the film was meant to be seen. Very great job here for sure. The audio track is also a major score with its DTS-Master Audio 5.1 track, which is great.

The special features are pretty great on the first two films at least. For “The Amityville Horror (1979)”, there is a new interview with Composer Lalo Schifrin in “Haunted Melodies”. “For God’s Sake, Get Out!” is a documentary with interviews from James Brolin and Margot Kidder. There is an audio commentary track by Dr. Hans Holzer, PH.D. in Parapsychology (author of Murder in Amityville), it is a little more preachy than production technical but lover of Amityville will enjoy. Lastly there is an Original Theatrical Trailer, TV Spot and Radio Spots included.

Since this is the first time that “Amityville II: The Possession” is hitting Blu-ray, the extras are quite impressive. There is an interview with Director Damiano Damiani in “The Posession of Damiani”. There are also five new interviews included here. “Adapting Amityville” is a new interview with Screenwriter Tommy Lee Wallace. “Family Matters” – New Interview with Actress Diane Franklin (I just love her, so sweet). “A Mother’s Burden” is a new interview with Actress Rutanya Alda. “Father Tom’s Memories” is a new interview with Actor Andrew Prine. There is also a new interview with ghost hunter/author Alexandra Holzer, who authored “Growing up Haunted: A Ghostly Memoir” and also delivers a new audio commentary track as well. Lastly there is an Original Theatrical Trailer included.

Even though “Amityville 3-D” hits Blu-ray for the first time, the extras are not as impressive as the previous two films. There is only a Original Theatrical Trailer included for this film, which is quite disappointing. Of course, if you can consider the fact of the film being presented in both 2D and Blu-ray 3D presentation, then that can really make up for the lack of extras in my eyes, especially since this is the first time the way was released in 3D since the film was in theaters.

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Blu-ray Review “From Here to Eternity”

Starring: Deborah Kerr, Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, Donna Reed, Ernest Borgnine
Director: Fred Zinnemann
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: October 1, 2013
Run Time: 118 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love “From Here to Eternity”? It is one of the greatest classics of our time. “From Here to Eternity” starred Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Frank Sinatra and Donna Reed. The 1953 film is celebrating it’s 60th Anniversary this year and Sony is bringing the film to Blu-ray for the first time. It was meticulously restored from a 4K scan, which is extremely impressive. If are a fan of this film, then I would recommend checking out this film since it has never looked better. If you have never seen it, this would be a great way to experience it for the first time.

Official Premise: Passion and tragedy collide on a military base as a fateful day in December of 1941 draws near. Private Prewitt (Clift) is newly arrived at the base, and has already fallen foul of his superiors due to his refusal to box on the company team. Given the worst duties as a result, Prewitt is befriended by Angelo Maggio (Sinatra), a young soldier who is himself persecuted by the Italian-hating Sergeant Fatso (Ernest Borgnine). Meanwhile, Sergeant Warden (Lancaster), Prewitt’s superior, treads on dangerous ground when he allows himself to get caught up in affair with an officer’s wife (Kerr).

The 1080p transfer like I said above is quite amazing for a film celebrating its 60th birthday. The black and white presentation is gorgeous and it shows how much work was put into this release. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track is very impressive for the presentation and really delivers a great round package. The special features included are decent as well. “Eternal History: Graphics-in-Picture Track” is the complete story of the film’s journey with interviews, photos and other rare materials. There is an audio commentary with Tim Zinnemann and actor Alvin Sargent, a collaborator with Fred Zinnemann. LAstly there are two vintage featurettes including “The Making of From Here to Eternity”, which is a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and “Fred Zinnemann: As I See It”, which focuses on the film’s director.

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Watch “Croodaceous Moments” from the film “The Croods” on Blu-ray and DVD October 1st

Dreamworks’ hit film “The Croods” will be available on Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 1 and is available to download on Digital HD now! To celebrate with everyone’s favorite “Croodaceous Moments” from the film, check out the video below:

Dun Dun Dahhh! Lauded by critics as “the first great animated film of 2013” (Pete Hammond, Movieline), Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment announces the blockbuster hit, DreamWorks Animation’s THE CROODS, will debut on Digital HD™ on September 15 and Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on October 1. “An instant animated classic,” (Jake Hamilton, FOX-TV), THE CROODS promises to bring the whole family together “from 4 to 104” (Sam Rubin, KTLA), to delight in “stunning visuals, humor and heart,” (Jim Hill, Huffington Post) as the world’s first modern family embark on an unforgettable adventure.

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, Clark Duke
Directed By: Chris Sanders and Kirk DeMicco

For more information on Digital HD: http://www.foxdigitalhd.com/croods or iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/the-croods/id668231059

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Enjoy all the family fun of “Turbo” on Blu-ray November 12!

FROM THE CREATORS OF MADAGASCAR AND KUNG FU PANDA
Perfect Gift for the Holidays, the Comedy-Adventure Arrives on Blu-ray™
Deluxe Edition and DVD November 12 with Turbo Pullback Toy Racer
LOS ANGELES, CA – Laugh it up with the visually stunning, heartfelt comedy-adventure for fans of all ages this holiday season! “Fresh, fast and funny” (Lou Lumenick, New York Post) and garnering four stars from Shawn Edwards with Fox TV, DreamWorks Animation’s TURBO has been hailed by critics as “pure family fun” (Jeff Craig, Sixty Second Preview) receiving outstanding audience reaction and a coveted “A” CinemaScore.
Directed by David Soren and from the team behind family favorite franchises MADAGASCAR and KUNG FU PANDA, TURBO is “a movie both kids AND adults will adore!” (Deidre Behar, Clevver News) and features laugh-out-loud performances from an incredible voice cast of today’s biggest stars: Ryan Reynolds, Paul Giamatti, Michael Peña, Snoop Dogg, Maya Rudolf, Michelle Rodriguez and Samuel L. Jackson.
Experience big dreams and even bigger laughs when TURBO arrives on Digital HD™ on October 22 and on Blu-ray 3D™ , Blu-ray™ and DVD on November 12. Taking the fun-filled spirited adventure of the film, the Blu-ray™ and DVD are packaged with a TURBOpullback toy racer, while supplies last, making it a great gift for the holidays!
DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo Blu-ray™ Deluxe Edition
The TURBO Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Deluxe Edition includes an extra holiday gift, theTURBO pullback racer toy for a limited time while supplies last.
      Feature film in high definition
       Blu-ray Exclusive Special Features:
● Smoove Move’s Music Maker – Watch action-packed music videos featuring songs from the film
● Meet Tito – Director David Soren provides an introduction for a scene that was deleted from the film.
● The Race – Director David Soren provides an introduction for a storyboard sequence that eventually made it into the film. Viewers can even see picture-in-picture comparison to the final cut.
● Shell Creator – Create your own shell from select-able parts

 

       Additional Special Features:
● Champions Corner – Host Paul Page interviews Turbo one-on-one to hear all about his racing techniques and inspirations!
● Be An Artist! – Dave Burgess, Head of Character Animation on the film, shows the audience how to draw: Turbo, Whiplash, Skidmark, Burn, Smooth Move, White Shadow, Chet and Customizable Racers.
● Team Turbo: Tricked Out – See Turbo and all the rest of the snail crew in a break- down of the cool components that make up each of their shells.
● TURBO F.A.S.T Trailer from TV show – First look at upcoming new TV show this December
● Holiday Favorites – Sneak Peeks
● World of DreamWorks Animation – Music videos from your favorite DreamWorks Animation feature films

 

DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo Blu-ray™ 3D Deluxe Edition
The Turbo Blu-ray™ 3D + Blu-ray™ + DVD + Digital Copy Deluxe Edition includes the following:
       Feature film in high definition and 3D
       All the Blu-ray™ and DVD content listed above
DreamWorks Animation’s Turbo DVD
The single disc DVD includes an extra holiday gift, the TURBO pullback racer toy for a limited time while supplies last plus the following
       Feature film in standard definition

 

       Special Features:
● Champions Corner – Host Paul Page interviews Turbo one-on-one to hear all about his racing techniques and inspirations!
● Be An Artist! – Dave Burgess, Head of Character Animation on the film, shows the audience how to draw: Garden Turbo and Racing Turbo.
● Team Turbo: Tricked Out – See Turbo and all the rest of the snail crew in a break- down of the cool components that make up each of their shells.
● World of DreamWorks Animation
● Previews

 

ABOUT DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for five consecutive years. In 2013, DreamWorks Animation ranks #12 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 27 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Puss In Boots, and The Croods.
ABOUT TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is the industry leading worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox produced, acquired and third party partner film and television programing. Each year TCFHE expands its award-winning global product portfolio with the introduction of new entertainment content through established and emerging formats including DVD, Blu-ray™ and Digital HD™. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox.

 

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Filed Under: Featured, Film Headlines Tagged With: 12, bluray, enjoy, family, fun, november, ...

3D Blu-ray Review “The Little Mermaid: Diamond Edition”

Actors: Jodi Benson, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Rene Auberjonois, Pat Carroll, Paddi Edwards
Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
Number of discs: 3
Rated: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Run Time: 83 minutes

Film: 5 out of 5 stars
3D: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

“The Little Mermaid” is one my favorite Disney films of all time. I remember the very first time I saw it dating back to 1989. Crazy that it is nearly 25 years old. The film has so many amazing song and will have you singing along whether you have seen the film yesterday or 20 years ago. The film was the winner of two Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Score and Original Song (“Under The Sea”). My daughter, who is 15 months old, loves Ariel and we got to introduce her to this film for the very first time. Let me tell you, she didn’t even turn her head once from the screen and did I mention she is 15 months old. Parents will understand what I mean by this. Disney really sprinkled some magic onto this release to deliver this film finally on Blu-ray with an amazing presentation. Now if we can just get “Aladdin” to Blu-ray, I will be complete.

Official Premise: Free-spirited mermaid Ariel (voiced by Jodi Benson) sets off on the adventure of a lifetime with her best friend, the adorable Flounder (Jason Marin) and a reggae-singing Caribbean crab named Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright) at her side. But it will take all of her courage and determination to make her dreams come true, and to save her father Triton’s (Kenneth Mars) beloved kingdom from the sneaky sea witch Ursula (Pat Carroll).

The film’s voice cast is so amazing Jodi Benson is just perfect as Ariel, here voice is what a princess should sound like. Cute and magical. Is it bad that I also still have a crush on Ariel after nearly 25 years 😉 Samuel E. Wright really gives life to Sebastian and is so much fun. Also Buddy Hackett is a shear blast voicing one of my favs Scuttle. Zut alors, I have missed one! We can’t forget Rene Auberjonois’ amazing take with Chef Louis.

Disney did not cheap out with this new Diamond Edition Blu-ray. The film included two Blu-ray’s, one 3D and the other 2D. There is a DVD copy of the film, along with a digital copy, which can be redeemed on Ultraviolet streaming sites. Note, you will also receive a $5.00 DisneyStore.com gift card if you redeem the digital copy, which is a no brainer. Besides all that there is still more since there is an exclusive 10 song digital download including Carly Rae Jepsen’s new take on “Part of Your World”. So to me this release definitely screams Diamond Edition.

Let’s get to the 3D aspect of the film now. Obviously, this film was never made in 3D but with the recent hit of films like “The Lion King”, Disney would be stupid not to cash in. I have to admit, I really loved this film in 3D. I thought that it just felt so deeper, maybe it was the water, but it really expanded this undersea world. The action scenes were amazing including (my favorite) the shark chase and the final confrontation. But of course what is even better is that the film also looks stunning on 2D Blu-ray as well. Disney really delivered a solid 108p presentation here, along with an amazing (not stunning) DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track. The music plays so well and has never sounded better.

In terms of special features, there is not a whole lot new here but it still includes some solid extras. There is the All-New Music Video for Carly Rae Jepsen’s new take on “Part of Your World”. “The Real Little Mermaid: Live Action Reference Model” looks into finding the look for Ariel. “Part of Her World: Jodi Benson’s Voyage To New Fantasyland” is a trip with the voice behind Ariel to explore Walt Disney World’s latest attraction. Other extras include “Howard’s Lecture”, “@ Disney Animation”, “Deleted Character” and some Classic DVD Bonus Features. Lastly I was a big fan of “Disney Intermission”, which is an interactive sing-along for these classics and timeless songs.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 3d, bluray, diamond, edition, mermaid, review, ...

Blu-ray Review “Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th”

Actors: Corey Feldman, Sean S. Cunningham, Adrienne King, Amy Steel, Dana Kimmel
Directors: Daniel Farrands
Producers: Thommy Hutson
Number of discs: 4
Rated: Unrated
Studio: 1428 Films
Release Date: September 13, 2013
Run Time: 400 minutes

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

“Friday the 13” is one of my favorite horror franchises. Jason Voorhees is also one of my favorite horror icon. The films are so fun and have held up so well over the last 30+ years. The franchise has not only consisted of twelve films but also a TV series, books and tons of collectible merchandise. When you factor in all those aspect, “Friday the 13th” becomes much more than a horror series. It actually is more of a pop-culture phenomenon, which has been over three decades. This is not the first documentary on the films and won’t be the last but it is definitely one of the best, especially alongside others like “His Name is Jason”. When you read the title of this film, it is not taking lightly it’s title…it is “The Complete History of Friday the 13th”. Did I mention that this is 400 minutes long…take a sec and do the math…yes, that nearly seven hours long. This is not a joke. It is a hardcore documentary for a hardcore “Friday the 13th” fan.

Official Premise: Inspired by the critically-acclaimed book, “Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th” takes viewers behind the mask on an epic journey into the making of the landmark horror franchise — from its humble beginnings in 1980 at a New Jersey summer camp to the blockbuster release of its 2009 “reboot.” Combining hundreds of rare and never-before-seen photographs, film clips, outtakes, archival documents, conceptual art and behind-the-scenes footage, and featuring interviews with more than 150 cast and crew members spanning all twelve films and the television series, “Crystal Lake Memories” is the ultimate tribute to one of horror’s most iconic and enduring franchises.

So being a huge fan of this franchise, I was really taken back by the fact that this documentary reached out to so many people who have been involved with the series over the year. This also included a bunch of people who have never appeared in camera interviews, which is a mega plus. A few of the great talent who participated with this doc includes Kane Hodder, Robert Englund, Tom Savini, Sean S. Cunningham, Derek Mears, Betsy Palmer, Wes Craven, Ken Kirzinger, Robert Shaye and Alice Cooper, along with many more. “Crystal Lake Memories” is written and directed by Daniel Farrands and produced by Thommy Hutson. This is the same team who also delivered us the amazing “A Nightmare on Elm Street” documentary, “Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy”. These guys deserve an award for all the word that they put into this doc.

1428 Films released this film as a combo pack with the documentary spread out over two Blu-rays and two DVDs. The 1080p transfer with it’s 1.78:1 aspect ratio works well with the interviews and footage from the films. I was a little bit let down to see that the audio track included was only a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, which is not really screaming Blu-ray quality but it worked for the most part. In terms of special features, there are not any additional extras besides a commentary track. But wait a sec…the commentary track is insane a must watch for any true “Friday the 13th” fan. It includes director Daniel Farrands, author Peter M. Bracke, and editor Luke Rafalowski throughout all seven hours. I remember seeing a photo on Facebook of the trio after recording this track and it just shows how much love went into it. Must listen for any fan and a great companion to the documentary.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 13th, bluray, complete, crystal, friday, history, ...

Blu-ray Review “Dracula: Prince of Darkness”

Actors: Christopher Lee, Barbara Shelley, Andrew Keir, Francis Matthews, Suzan Farmer, Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell
Directors: Terence Fisher
MPAA Rated: Not Rated
Studio: Millennium Entertainment
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Run Time: 90 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Hammer is known for delivering some of the best horror films of our time. “Dracula: Prince of Darkness” is the follow up to “Horror of Dracula (1958)”, which started Christopher Lee as the Count. In this film, he does not speak a single word in the film and yet still delivers such a great performance. His red eyes literally hypothesize you. The film was released in 1966 and yet it still works so well. It is so refreshing to see a classic vampire flick where crosses and light have such an amazing effect. Highly recommend for any fan of classic horror and of course Hammer flicks.

Four English tourists who are holidaying in the Carpathians are warned to avoid the castle in town. But when they are abandons in the mountains due to fear from the locals, they seek refuge by a carriage with no rider which leads them right to that very same castle they warned against visiting. They are welcomed by Klove (Philip Latham), who happens to be the sinister manservant of Count Dracula (Christopher Lee). He has plans for them to bring his master back to life.

The Blu-ray presentation from Millennium Entertainment is amazing. The 1080p transfer looks amazing and you forget that this film is nearly 50 years old. The audio track though in terms of Blu-ray standards is not amazing since it is only a Dolby Digital 2.0 track but I have to admit though it still sounded pretty amazing despite it not being HD. James Bernard’s score sounded brand new and very powerful, which is always a must with a Hammer production. This release also includes exclusive collectible lobby cards, which are a great bonus.

In terms of special features, this release continues to impress. There is a great commentary track with Christopher Lee, Suzan Farmer, Francis Matthews and Barbara Shelley. Must listen for any fan. There is a classic World of Hammer episode included “Hammer Stars Christopher Lee”. There is a documentary called “Back to Black. There is a “Restoration Comparison”, which really shows the shape of this film prior to this release and shows how much work went into making it look this good. Lastly there is the restored original trailer and stills gallery included.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, darkness, dracula, prince, review

3D Blu-ray Review “World War Z 3D”

Actors: Brad Pitt, Matthew Fox, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale, David Morse, David Andrews
Directors: Marc Forster
Rated: PG-13 / Unrated
Studio: Paramount
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Running Time: 116 / 123 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

With the success of TV show’s like “The Walking Dead”, zombies have been hotter right now. I have to admit before “World War Z” came out, I was kind of taken back by the fact that the film cost nearly $200 million dollars. I thought it was going to be this big-budgeted mess but I have to admit I was quite surprised. Brad Pitt really kicks some ass in this film and really delivers. The film is fast, suspenseful and definitely adds some new tabs to the zombie film genre. In fact, this film isn’t JUST a zombie film it plays more like a giant end-of-the-world-style action film. “World War Z” (like most films today) was shot in 2D and converted in post-production. Does the film need to be in 3D?…not at all. But is it worth it?…Yeah it is! There is some pretty cool added depth to the large scale action scenes. The zombie effects also take advantage of this format as well. Personally, if I had a choice to watch 2D or 3D, I would prefer seeing it in the third-dimension for sure. I thought it played out very well and added a lot to the film.

Official Premise: When former U.N. investigator Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) and his family get stuck in urban gridlock, he senses that it’s no ordinary traffic jam. His suspicions are confirmed when, suddenly, the city erupts into chaos. A lethal virus, spread through a single bite, is turning healthy people into something vicious, unthinking and feral. As the pandemic threatens to consume humanity, Gerry leads a worldwide search to find the source of the infection and, with luck, a way to halt its spread.

In terms of presentation, Paramount really delivers a fantastic Blu-ray here. The 3D disc of the film includes only the theatrical cut of the film (which is a little disappointing) and the 1080p transfer is very solid. This really captures the huge scale of the film and it just looks so crisp and sharp. The 2D Blu-ray includes both the theatrical and unrated cut of the film, even though I prefer the 3D, the film still looks impressive in terms of presentation in 2D. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track is rocking and delivers some amazing surround sound effects. Marco Beltrami’s score delivers some good suspense and works well with this track. Also included in this combo pack are a DVD and an UltraViolet copy of the film.

The special features will not last you through the end of the world but they are worth checking out. There are primarily made up of a few featurettes looking the production, no commentary tracks. “Origins” includes cast and crew, including Brad Pitt discuss how this film came about and their plans to make it different from other zombie films. “Looking to Science” looks into the scientific realities of the Zombies in the film. The next few featurettes focuses on the film’s production. “Outbreak” takes us on set with Brad Pitt and director Marc Forster as we get a behind-the-scenes look at the film’s first attack in Philadelphia. “The Journey Begins” focuses on Gerry’s escape in South Korea. “Behind The Wall” looks into the massive scene shot in Jerusalem and what it took to shoot. Lastly “Camouflage” focuses on the final battle between Gerry and the zombies and how it was done.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 3d, bluray, review, war, world

Blu-ray Review “Psycho III: Collector’s Edition”

Starring: Anthony Perkins, Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey, Roberta Maxwell
Director: Anthony Perkins
Rated: R (Restricted)
Studio: Shout! Factory
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Run Time: 93 minutes

Film: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3.5 out of 5 stars

You would think by the time you made it to the second sequel of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece “Psycho” that it would be past its prime but that is not the case here.  Anthony Perkins returns yet again in his iconic role, in fact he also directs the film as well. He is joins by Jeff Fahey, who I have always loved from this film. The film takes place one month after the events of “Psycho II” and is very clever and an all around fun ride. Despite that the film became the lowest grossing film in the “Psycho” franchise, though it was still followed by the TV movie, “Psycho IV: The Beginning”. If you are a fan of this franchise or horror in general, Scream Factory has done it again, delivering another great release.

Official Premise: The Bates Motel is once again the site of something evil as the rehabilitated Norman attempts to help a disturbed young woman, Maureen Coyle (Diana Scarwid, Mommie Dearest), who has left the convent because she can’t find any proof that God exists. Maureen bears a striking resemblance to one-time Bates Motel guest Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) which puts Norman on edge. At the same time, a nosy reporter is snooping around town looking into Norman’s past. Suspense, terror and black comedy worthy of the master himself are in hearty supply in the most shocking Psycho of them all!

Like “Psycho II”, Scream Factory really delivered a fantastic release for this film. The Blu-ray’s 1080p transfer with an aspect ratio of 1.84:1 is very impressive and despite some grain looks great overall. Same goes for the audio tracks, like “Psycho II” this film also contains both DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 aiming to showcase the film’s original sound design and a supped up DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track. Carter Burwell took over the duty for the score from Jerry Goldsmith and does a solid job and it sounds great here, no questions.

The special features included some great new extras and just like “Psycho II” are worthy of this collector’s edition as well. To kick them off there is an audio commentary with writer Charles Edward Pogue and hosted by Red Shirt Productions’ Michael Felsher, must listen for any fan of the series.”Watch the Guitar: An Interview with Jeff Fahey” is a great new feature with the actor reflecting on his role. “Patsy’s Last Night: An Interview with Katt Shea” talks about working on her role and working with Anthony Perkins. “Mother’s Maker: An Interview with Special Make-Up Effects Creator Michael Westmore” talks about the effects in the film. “Body Double with Brinke Stevens” talks about her work on the film. Lastly there are trailers and still gallery included.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: bluray, collectors, edition, iii, psycho, review, ...
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